Supreme Court sitting this morning in Abuja nullified the judgment which convicted Senator Orji Uzor Kali, former Governor of Abia State, to 12 years improvement without option of fine.
The nullifications was carried by the seven-man panel of the apex court, they also set aside the judgment which convicted Ude Udeogu, a former Director of Finance and Account at the Abia State Government House.
The nullification is coming more than one year after both men were convicted of alleged corruption levelled against them by the Nigerian government.
Recall that Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court in Lagos had in April 24th 2019 sentenced Senator Kalu to 12 years imprisonment and Mr. Udeogu 10 years improvement.
Kalu and Udeogu who were not pleased with the judgment filed an appeal to challenge their sentencing at the Supreme Court, Abuja.
The apex court, after going through the case, ruled on the appeal delivered by Justice Ejembi Eko, that the conviction of the appellants was null and void.
Justice Eko explained that the declaration was on the ground that Justice Mohammed Idris was already a Justice of the Court of Appeal, as at the time he delivered the judgment sentencing the appellants.
He held that a Justice of the Court of Appeal cannot operate as a judge of the Federal High Court.
The apex court, therefore, ordered the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to reassign the case for trial.
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